He became a Motown ambassador, and travels to schools talking about literacy and teaching dance steps to kids. In 2007, he became the assistant road manger for the Temptations, who still perform 200 to 300 times a year. Most recently, Summers researched and co-wrote the liner notes for the 79-song compilation that will be released next week to commemorate the group’s first 50 years.

“From the time I was eight or nine, I learned to operate the stereo and be careful with the needle,” said Summers, now 40, and a Republican political consultant by trade. “My passion for history drove me to want to know more and more about the Temptations.”

Otis Williams is the only remaining original member of the group that formed in initially in 1961. Summers beams when he talks about the group and pulls from their sleeves the 45s and albums that are special to him. He carefully holds the edges to avoid smudges and new scratches. He loves talking about his time on the road.

He has his Temptations uniform, complete with the group’s trademark zip boots. On tour, he has been known to get carried away during a show.

“Brian gets in the wings and does all the steps through all the show while we are on stage,” said Joe Herndon, 62, who has been the Temptations bass singer for nine years. A native Washingtonian, Herndon has been singing since he was 13. Being a member of the famed group, he said, can be grueling because they travel so much. He has been around the world with the group a few times already.

The audience, Herndon said, makes it worthwhile.

“Anywhere we go, something happens in the audience that is remarkable,” Herndon said. “My Girl,” is a must at every performance. It’s typically the second to last song of the evening.

“Everyone is on their feet, young and old, black and white,” Herndon said. Once the show is over, it’s on to the next venue.

After college, he moved to the District and worked on the Hill, including a stint working for former North Carolina senator Jesse Helms, a fierce foe of affirmative action and a federal holiday for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.